When Words Fail Us by Stan Grant

I am out of words at home. I have grown bored with my language, bored with my voice, bored with my writing. My words labour under the weight of Australia’s history. The land itself, as much as I love it, bears down hard.

Now in another place, I am finding lighter words. At times, I may not need to speak at all. I smile; I nod. I seek permission to speak. Please, do you mind? Will you allow me?

In an important book for our times, Stan Grant one of Australia’s most prominent writers on identity, nationhood and belonging reflects on how we struggle to speak to one another today, and the importance of listening, silence and philosophy, from Plato to Simone Weil to Radiohead.

In When Words Fail Us, Stan Grant reflects on how we struggle to speak to each other and the importance of listening, silence and philosophy.

About the Author:

Stan Grant is a proud Wiradjuri man, and the Vice Chancellor’s Chair of Australian-Indigenous Belonging at Charles Sturt University. He was formerly ABC’s Global Affairs and Indigenous Affairs Analyst. He is the award-winning and bestselling author of several books, including Talking To My Country, The Queen Is Dead, Murriyang and Australia Day.

01 May 2026
 

When Words Fail Us: Truth Beyond Time by Stan Grant ISBN 9781761170751